Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1887-03-18
THIRST IN HE DESERT.
suggestions rs TO a Lemon Ice
Almost Cause "a Murder.


M. Maxine du Camp tells us in bis
souvenirs Litteraires," that when he
and Gustave Flaubert were crossing the
Egyptian desert in the course OF their
Eastern tour, the accidental fall Of the
camel which bore the water supply Of the
party shattered the earthen vessel which
held II, and suddenly deprived the travel
ers OF their entire provision OF the pre-
cious fluid. The accident happened at 8
O'CLOCK On Thursday evening, and the
guides informed them that the nearest
well could not possibly be reached before
the afternoon OF the Sunday following.
The prospect of having To pass some
seventy hours in the Nubian desert, under
burning sun, without drop of water,
was not the most agreeable one; but as
beyond the discomfort there was nothing
10 apprehend, the young men easily sum-
moned up courage to meet it and contln-
ued their journey with stout heart.
Their suferings were comparatively
slight the first day. At 4O'clock on sat
urday morning, after a feverish night,
they started to face the worst day of the
Three, for though their suferings from
thirst would doubtless be greater the next
day, the near prospect OF relief would
render them more supportable. AS they
mounted their camels they consoled them
selves with the reflection to which Dami-
ems gave utterance on the morning OF MS
execution:
That day will be trying one, but it
Will come to an end"
Al about o'clock, when the SUMS RAYS
had already begun to give the thirsty
travellers foretaste OF their meridian
power, Flaubert suddenly asked his COM
panion IL he remembered the lemon ices
they used to eat at TOrtohps. A nod was
the only answer vouchsafed to this singu-
larry ill-timed question.
''Come, now" Flauhert went on, 'you
would not be offended ii anyone were 10
offer you lemon ice now. All! lemon
ices! have you noticed how the glass in
which one is served gets covered with
beads OF dew on hot day"
suppose we change the subject" said
his friend, hardly able to articulate, so
turred and swollen was his tongue.
LAS you please" replied Flaubert;
"still, lemon ice Is thing which one
could not easily say too much in the way OF
praise. You take spoonful and crush it
gently between the tongue and palate. 1t
melts slowly, refreshingly, deliciousiy,
bathing the parched mouth. You swal-
low it, and the whole system seems to
smile with satisfaction. Decidedly, the
absence OF lemon ices is serious oDiec-
| ton to the DESERT"
Once Flaubert got morbid fancy of
this sort into his head there was no driv-
ing it out, and no preventing his tongue
| from running upon it. And so he went on
singing the praises of lemon ices, till his
friend not merely lost patience, but be-
| came downright savage and vicious.
"Gustave," he said to him, sternly
stake your choice; ride ahead or follow In
the rear, but let us put 200yards between
us as soon as possible. 1t will be the
best and safest for us BOTH"
They rode apart thenceforward, and did
not exchange a word till they reached a
well, which they did at o'clock next day.
No sooner had they slaked their thirst
than Flaubert threw himself into his
| friends arms.
"Thauks,'' he said, E'for not having MUIR
dered me; should have done so had
been in your place."